Yemen accuses Iran of pushing Houthis to prolong war, block peace efforts

Arrested early in August, she has admitted to some of the allegations against her, according to a report by Channel 12, including having had lengthy contact with an Iranian agent and having carried our several missions on behalf of Iran.

Police and the Israeli military must now provide additional material to a military court in a case described as “highly security-sensitive,” Ynet reported, with judges demanding evidence such as technological tests and further intelligence operations to substantiate the charges against the suspect.

A gag order has been imposed on the case.

The suspect, whose investigation is being conducted jointly by the military and the Shin Bet intelligence service, will remain in custody for another eight days as of Monday.

It is the latest in a string of cases involving Israeli citizens accused of working for Iran since the October 7, 2023, attacks by Iran-backed Hamas. However, it is the first such case known to emerge from the occupied West Bank, although seven men from East Jerusalem were arrested last year.

Recent incidents include an Israeli soldier charged with passing information to Iran in exchange for money — including interception videos and photographs of missile landings — and a Bedouin teacher in the Negev accused of filming fighter jet takeoffs.

Last Thursday, officials also revealed that Iranian operatives hacked the Telegram account of former Interior and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked during the 12-day war. Shaked, who has not held office for more than two years, had previously been warned of Iranian attempts to eavesdrop on her communications.

Baghaei told reporters that Tehran remained ready to take steps to reassure the world about the peaceful nature of its nuclear program, but only if sanctions were lifted.

“We are prepared to adopt a series of measures to provide assurances about the peaceful nature of our nuclear program, conditional upon the removal of oppressive sanctions,” he said at his weekly press briefing.

Baghaei dismissed speculation about third-party mediation in its relations with the UN nuclear watchdog, saying, “Our relationship with the Agency is direct. Last week, one of its deputies visited Tehran. We also had discussions on drafting a cooperation framework,” he said. “Our representative in Vienna is in constant contact with the Agency.”

‘European have no right for snapback’

The spokesperson also criticized Britain, France, and Germany over threats to use the so-called snapback mechanism that could restore UN sanctions.

“The very act of Europe using this tool as a means of pressure against Iran is an illegal move,” Baghaei said.

“The three European countries failed to fulfill their obligations under the 2015 nuclear deal, and after the US and Israel attacked Iran’s nuclear facilities, they neither condemned it nor even tried to provide a logical explanation of their positions. We believe the three European countries have no right to use this mechanism.”

He added: “We never cut off negotiations with these three countries. They must decide whether they want to play a constructive role or a negative role aligned with the interests of the Zionist regime.”

Responding to a question on whether Iran might consider extending the deadline set by Britain, France and Germany in their recent letter to the United Nations, Baghaei said Tehran had no such plans. “The Islamic Republic has no program to extend the snapback mechanism,” he said.

His comments followed a letter sent last week by the foreign ministers of the three European powers — known as the E3 — to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the Security Council, warning that they were prepared to reimpose international sanctions unless Tehran resumed nuclear negotiations with Washington and restored cooperation with the IAEA before the end of August, or accepted an extension.

Caucasus concerns

On regional issues, Baghaei said Iran closely monitored developments in the South Caucasus.

“We have been very clear that we are sensitive to the presence of extra-regional actors,” he said.

“We conveyed this explicitly to our friends in Armenia and listened to their explanations. For us, the unblocking of routes must not harm internationally recognized borders or contradict Armenia’s national sovereignty. We are monitoring the situation carefully and will raise concerns whenever necessary.”

Last week, US President Donald Trump brokered a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which gives Washington leasing rights to develop the Zangezur transit route connecting Azerbaijan with its exclave, Nakhchivan. It will be renamed the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP).

Epstein case not linked to talks

Asked about reports linking the Jeffrey Epstein case to negotiations with Washington, Baghaei said Iran would not speculate.

“The so-called Epstein case is an issue that is not limited to the United States; many officials from different countries were implicated. We do not engage in speculation about the motives of US officials. What matters to us are their actions and Iran’s interests,” he said.

“We are not in a ceasefire, we are in a stage of war. No protocol, regulation, or agreement has been written between us and the US or Israel,” said senior Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) general Yahya Rahim Safavi.

“I think another war may happen, and after that, there may be no more wars.”

Safavi’s comments is the latest in a series of combative remarks from military leaders on both sides, with Israel’s army chief vowing readiness for further strikes and Iran’s General Staff warning of “a far stronger response” to any future attacks by US or Israel.

Safavi argued that Iran must build power at both the regional and global levels.

“The Americans and the Zionists say they create peace through power; therefore Iran must also become strong, because in the system of nature the weak are trampled,” he said.

Tehran’s leadership continues to project defiance despite the threat of renewed UN sanctions and worsening shortages of power and water at home—that has led Iran’s moderates to call for a change of course in foreign policy.

Safavi outlined what he called Iran’s strategy for deterrence.

“We must strengthen our diplomatic, media, missile, drone and cyber offensive strategy,” he said, “we, the military, do scenario-planning, we see the worst case, and we prepare a plan for it.”

Iran-Israel war

Safavi’s comments come two months after Israel launched a surprise military campaign on June 13 targeting military and nuclear sites, killing hundreds of military personnel, nuclear scientists and civilians.

Iran responded with missile strikes that killed 31 civilians and one off-duty soldier, according to official figures published by the Israeli government.

The Islamic Republic says 1,062 people were also killed by Israel during the 12-day conflict, including 786 military personnel and 276 civilians.

On June 22, the US carried out airstrikes on Iran’s key nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

A US brokered ceasefire came into effect on June 24, which ended the 12 day air war.

Official data published this week suggests both Iran and Israel suffered economicallyduring the 12-day war in June.

The program—titled Tehran–Tel Aviv—marked Larijani’s reemergence as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s representative to the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC).

“The enemy thought they had the most defensive capability, but Iran’s rain of missiles completely left them helpless,” he said.

Larijani quoted “a regional official” as saying that Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had told him Iran was “finished” a day into the war, but by the fourth or fifth day admitted Israel had “big problems.”

Still, Larijani cautioned against triumphalism.

“We must not become arrogant, because the enemy studies these things and finds new methods. We are doing the same and must not act with only one military method.”

Official data published this week suggests both Iran and Israel suffered economically during the 12-day war in June.

Yet military leaders on both sides have continued the war of words, with Israel’s army chief vowing readiness for further strikes and Iran’s General Staff warning of “a far stronger response” to any future attacks by Israel or the United States.

'Infiltration is serious'

Larijani also said the June clash was distinct because of Washington’s direct involvement. “It was face to face,” he told the broadcaster.

“The Americans, who always hid behind regional issues, came onto the scene themselves. Their defense secretary explicitly ordered the bombings.”

Sidelined from power in recent years, Larijani now appears tasked with restoring cohesion in the Islamic Republic’s fractured defense posture.

The broadcast sought to cement his role as both strategist and spokesman for Iran’s postwar stance—portraying the conflict as proof of Iran’s reach and resilience while acknowledging deep vulnerabilities.

“The strategy and manner of Iran’s military moves against Israel were an achievement. Of course we had weaknesses too,” Larijani said.

“The issue of the enemy’s infiltration inside Iran is serious. We had weaknesses that are painful.”

From April to June, Israel’s business sector contracted 6.2%. Private consumption dropped 4.1%, public spending fell 1%, and investment in fixed assets plunged 12.3%, signaling weakening confidence.

Exports of goods and services, excluding startups and diamonds, declined 3.5%, while imports, excluding defense purchases, rose 3.1%.

The downturn followed the June conflict with Iran, which began after Israel attacked military and nuclear sites on June 13.

Iran responded with missile strikes that forced many Israelis into shelters.

The United States joined on June 22 with airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. A US-brokered ceasefire took effect on June 24, ending the 12-day war.

Bank of Israel Governor Amir Yaron told Bloomberg in late June that the fighting was likely to cost nearly $6 billion or 1% of GDP.

Analyst Andreas Krieg told TRT World that overall losses could reach between $11.5 billion and $17.8 billion, around 2% to 3% of Israel’s economy.

Costly for Tehran

The conflict also took a heavy toll on Iran’s economy.

Krieg estimated Iran’s direct and indirect losses at $24 billion to $35 billion, equal to 6% to 9% of its $380 billion GDP.

The conflict also dealt a heavy blow to Iran’s trade: non-oil exports in June totaled $3.4 billion, according to Iranian customs statistics—a 34% drop from a year earlier.

Iran’s digital economy was also hit.

The communications minister reported a 30% contraction and losses of 150 trillion rials (about $170 million) in one month, attributing the damage to widespread internet restrictions imposed during the fighting.